Bees are very important to nature. There are about 20,000 species of bees in the world. Bees or honeybees or honeybees and honey-gathering insects closely related to ants. Famous for honey and wax production and flower pollination. There are about twenty thousand bee species in the world under 9 recognized genera, although most are undescribed and the actual number may be much higher. Wherever there are insect-pollinated flowering plants, there are bees on every continent on Earth except Antarctica.
Four types of bees are commonly seen in the country. Rocky Mountain Bee, Little Bee, Indian Bee and European Bee. Apart from these, another species known as stingless bee is found in Kerala. They are not stingless at all, in fact their stingers are not fully developed. But they are very good pollinators. They produce 300-400 grams of honey annually. Wherever there are flowering plants, there will be bees. They are very efficient and intelligent. Because bees and other insects cause flowers and fruits to grow on trees. If there were no insects like bees, there would be no flowers and no fruits on the trees. Bees live in colonies in groups. Bees live in a large family or society in each hive. There are three types of bees in a colony. Queen bee, worker bee and male bee. The queen bee is the leader of the group and is large in size. Bees are best known for their honey. But this honey is not made for us by the bees.
Rather, they collect honey for themselves in winter. They produce 2-3 times more honey than required. And understanding the opportunity, we take that extra honey. Researchers believe that not only honey production, but also the venom collected from bee stings can cure diseases. In recent times, it is heard that bees can play an important role in protecting the borders of the army. For which beekeeping is being done on the border.
Bee conservation is crucial for several reasons:
Pollination: Bees are among the most important pollinators in the world. They pollinate about 75% of the leading global food crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Without bees, many of these crops would fail, leading to a significant reduction in food diversity and availability.
Biodiversity: Bees contribute to the pollination of wild plants, helping to maintain biodiversity. These plants form the basis of many ecosystems, providing food and habitat for a wide range of other species. The decline of bee populations can lead to the collapse of these ecosystems.
Economic Impact: The agricultural industry heavily relies on bees for pollination, contributing billions of dollars annually to the global economy. The loss of bees would lead to higher costs for farmers and consumers, as alternative pollination methods would need to be implemented.
Environmental Health: Bees are indicators of environmental health. Their decline often signals broader issues within ecosystems, such as pesticide overuse, habitat loss, and climate change. Protecting bees means addressing these larger environmental concerns.
Food Security: A significant portion of the world's diet relies on bee-pollinated plants. The decline of bee populations could lead to a decrease in food production, potentially causing food shortages and higher prices, impacting global food security.
Protecting bees is not just about saving a single species but about preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystems, supporting agriculture, and ensuring a sustainable future for all.